Sorting apparatus



K. W. DEAN ETAL SORTING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17. 1945hmmm. ,.1 ...man e. m tuk... tub?. Ltwm luotwn NO;., Ifnn ill' rlll l lA i1. 9M .q n.. am ...s .o LI, 1

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um m@ Patented Nov. 28, i950 SOBTING APPARATUS Kenneth W. Dean, HoraceS. Beattie, and Ralph E. Page, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., assign ternationalBusiness Machin ors to In es Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation o! New York Application December 17.1945, Serial No. 635,599

s claim. (ci. 20s-11o) l The present invention relates to sortingmachinos and, more particularly, to sorting machines oi the type shownand described in the patents to Eugene A. Ford, Nos..l,'l41.985 and1,962,735, dated December 31, 1929. and June l2,

1934 respectively. both patents being for sorting machines. Theinvention further relates to a method of sorting record cards. which arepunched with alphabetical designationswhereby a plurality oicard-receiving pockets in a. sorting machine are made available forreception of cards bearing certain selected alphabetical designationsduring an initial run of a group of cards through the machine. Also;during this run of the cards, a pair of additional pockets are madeavailable for reception o! cards not specifically selected and theselatter cards are distributed or divided between the two additionalpockets by a partial sorting operation, i. e., these cards are sortedinto two groups, one group containing cards next to be run through themachine for speciilc sorting o! cards bearing certain other selectedalphabetical designations, and the other group con.- taining cardsiinally to be run through the machine for specific sorting of cardsbearing still other selected designations. The isecond group oi cardscontained in one of thel two additional pockets, when run through themachine. -are specically sorted into groups-and the. various groups fallon top of the groups of cards previously placed in their respectivepockets. Finally, when the third group o! cards contained in the otheradditional pocket are run- -through the machine, they, too, are dividedinto groups which fallupon top oi' the groups obtained during the secondrun. After all cards have been runA through the machine and sorted,according to the alphabetical designations thereon, the various groupsof cards, each in an individual pocket, may be removed from the pocketssequentially and stacked one vupon the other with the net resultthatallotth cardsinthennalstackwillbearranged in alphabetical groups.

Throughout this specification and in' the` and "speciilc sorting have.for lack of a better expression, been resorted to. It will be understoodthat by a.' partial sorting operation is meant the performance ofsorting operations upon a group oi cards which results in thedistribution or division of these cards into ltwo card-receivingpockets. One of these pockets lreceives cards bearing alphabeticaldesignations which are equally alphabetically removed from each otherand which are once removed from the designations of cards .previouslysorted during the ilrst sorting operation. The other pockets receivecards which are twice removed from the cards of the rst sortingoperation and which are once removed from the cards resulting from thesecond sorting operation. The term "speciiic sorting" applies to theindividual distribution oi each card to one, and only one, pocket whichis designed for 'reception thereof.

In carrying out the method involved, the improved sorting machinecomprising the present invention is designed to accommodate perforatedcards used in a tabulating system, such as the Hollerith system. but asomewhat modiiled form of card is employed. Whereas in the present-dayconventional card a. twelve-line code, consuming substantially theentire width of the card, is employed and allowing for eightyindex pointposi tions or columns, the modified card. of the present inventionutilizes a simple seven-line code with provision being made i'orselectively sorting in a plurality of different ilelds or regions ofsorting in the card. Furthermore, the modied card kemployed inconnection with the present invention has been designed to accommodateseventy index point positions or columns, although this latter ieatureis entirely arbitrary and, if desired, a greater or lesser numberofcolumns may be employed.

,In carrying out the present invention, the mechanical changes effectedin sorters of the type disclosed in the above mentioned patents arerelatively minor, as will appear presently when the nature of theinvention is better understood.v

claims which follow, the terms "partial sorting 45 These changes consistmainly in eliminating. one

,aachen trical instrumentalities,v however, have been.

addedtothemachineinsuchamannerthatthe same will perform -the servicesrequired of them and. toward this end, throughout the iollowingvdescription emphasis will be placed particularly upon the electricalfeatures involved. while an understanding of the mechanical features mayreadily be had by reference to the above mentioned patents.

According to the present invention. the machine employs twelvesortingpockets and may selectively be adjusted for sorting the cards accordingto periorations applied in any one of three fields or sorting regions.Where numerig cal sorting is concerned. a single run of a stack of cardsthrough the machine will sumce and each of the ten pockets designed fornumericall an individual pocket, and all punched cards not selectedduring the ilrst run will be partially sorted and divided into a pair ofadditional pockets. The partial sorting operation. whereby unselectedcards are distributed into two pockets, consists in the placement'ofcards next' to be run through the machine into one pocket and of cardsto" follow afterward through the machine into another pocket. Y

After this first sorting operation, the numerical may be removed fromthe machine and the" groupsofpartiallysortedcardsagainrunthrough themachine in proper order for second and third operations. By placing oneoi' the groups of sorted cards in the card feed hopper with the othergroup on top thereof, the second and third sorting operations may beperfumed as a single run, and during this run cards punched withadditional selected characters of the alphabet will be sorted into thevarious pockets on top of the cards already received therein. During thelatter part of this run, cards punched with still other selectedcharacters in the alphabet will be applied to the pockets containing thepreviously sorted cards, thus completing all sorting operations.

Selection of alphabeticallyl -punched cards card'f This signal card ispunched with special code perforations and the machine is so designedelectrically that when it is encountered by the sorting brush certainmachine change-over operations are automatically eected to distinguishthe nrst sorting run from the second, and the second sorting run fromthe third. The signal card is handled in the. machine in the ordinaryprocess of sorting and is so applied to the initial stack of cards thatit always presents itself for sensing at the appropriate time whenmachine 4 change-over sorting operations are in order.

When the sorting operations have finally been f completed, this signalcard will rest conveniently sequent and unrelated sorting operation.

Because of the provision of this signal card which eilects automaticmachine sorting changeover operations, it is not necessary during actualoperation of the machine to let the machine stop between the variousgroups of cards while sorting in any selected column of the card. Cardsfalling into the pocket 'which receives the unselected group of cardsmay be placed on top of the signal card, which in turn rests upon thetop card in the previously sorted group, while the remaining cards ofthe ilrst run of cards are still in the feed hopper. This expedientmakes possible continuous machine operations with automatic switchingover to the second group of cards when the signal card presents itselfat the end of the first group sort, or switching over to the third groupsort when thesignalcardissensedattheendofthe second group sort.

During sortingoperations,- the individual cards are passed through thesorting station face downward with the bottom longitudinal edge leading;Since a seven-line code is employed with the code columns extendingtransversely of the card and since a single sensing brush is employedwhich L traverses the various perforations of each character in a singlecolumn, it is necessary, where plural perforations are concerned. toprovide for storingl the electrical impulses which are encountered in 50ing magnet at the proper time for introduction of the card beneath theproper chute blade, certain electronic circuits are brought into play.These circuits each include a cold cathode type yof electron fiowinitiating tube and an amplifying 65 tube, together with a series ofholding relays by duringthethreesortingrunsofthemachineis so made thatafter sorting operations are complete the cards will rest in theirrespective pockets alphabetically or sequentially arranged in groups ofthree or less characters each. yFurthermore. the character selection isso madethat when the cards are removed as a group from their respectivepockets without shuilling and placed one group upon another, the entirestack of cards so removed from the machine will be in properV alphabeticsequence.

The novel sorting process brleny outlined above depends in part for itssuccessful operation upon theuseofwhatistermedhereinasasignal means ofwhich once an electronic circuit is completed by virtue of a perforationin the card-y being sensed, it will be maintained in existence untilsuch time as all remaining perforations in the card have also beensensed. As each electronic circuit is completed, a pick-up relay magnetexisting in the plate circuit of its respective amplincation tube willbecome energized. Selective energization of these various latter relaymagnets serves to operate a decoding` device and this latter` device inturn operates to selecta vsingle electrical circuit associated with asort f commutator, which commutator operates in such a manner as toenergize the selected circuit at the 7 proper time in the card cycle sothat the proper 7 and functions at the proper time in the assnsu machinecycle toeilect proper mechanical masimilar or identical with those ofthe machines shown in the above mentioned patents to Ford,

the principle of machine operation diners' quite materially from thesestructures. The patented structures and the` present structure are allpredicated upon the fact that a plurality of superimposed sorting bladesform distributing passages for the cards. The receiving end of each ofthe blades is longer than the one below it and `all oi' the blade endsrest upon a plate which is so positioned that the cards, while emergingfrom the analyzing device, pass between the blade ends and the plate.Means are provided for eilecting a blade-lowering operation at theproper time in the machine cycle so that all of the blades, except thoseresting upon the card being analyzed, will be lowered to thereby open apassage lor the card between two blades, the particular passage openeddepending, of course, upon the longitudinal position of the card at theinstant of lower ing of the blades. In the patented structures. sincethe sorting magnet which causes lowering of the plate depends for itsenergization upon the iiow of electric current through the holes orperforations appearing` in the card at the sensing station. it isobvious that the time of anergization of the magnet is dependententirely upon one factor, namely, the relative location of periorationsin the card undergoing sensing. For this reason. the decrement betweenadjacent pairs of blade ends must necessarily correspond to the intervalbetween the index point positions of the perforations in aA single cardcolumn. According to the present invention, the

Vtime of energlzation of the sorting magnet^is ,are widely spaced orwhether they are close together. The cards are advanced toward andthrough the chute blades at a predetermined rate of speed in synchronismwith an impulse distributor, which comprises the previously mentionedsort commutator. This sort commutator, rather than the locations ofindex point positions in the card, is the controlling factor whichdetermines the propertime of opening of the sort magnet.

The provision of an apparatus of the character set forth above being theprincipal object of the invention, a further object thereof is toprovide an apparatus of this character which is capable of operating atrelatively high speeds and which, by virtue of the features set forthabove. will effect complete alphabetic sorting of a group of cards in arelatively short period of time with a bminimum of card` handlingoperations.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a machine ofthis character means whereby manual push button control of the machineis. made available to accomplish the set-up functions of the signalcard, if desired. By such an arrangement, the machine may be restored toany Selected wenn .for sortlnsperationsJf-mee s chanicaily orelectrically disturbed, as for example, by a card iam.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of thischaracter having `associated therewith a series of signal devices forindicating to the operator of the machine the particulag sorting set-upcurrently available and being employed by the machine.

Numerous other objects and advantag of the invention not at this timeenumerated will become more readily apparent as the nature of theinvention is better understood. In the accompnying seven sheets ofdrawings forming a part of this specincation, one embodiment of theinvention has been shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially centrally andlongitudinally through the card-receiving end of a sorting machineconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig.:2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 ofFig. l.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partially broken away,

qi'. a typical record card designed for use in connection with thepresent sorting machine.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a record card showing the sameperforated with numerical designations according to a selected coda.

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 4, showing the cardperforated with alphabetical designations according to the selectedcode.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a card showing a special designationthereon indicating that it isa signal card for controlling certainmachine operations.

Fig. 'l is a schematic view illustrating the placement oi cards in theirrespective sorting pockets during various machine runs.

Figs. 8, 9, i0 and 10a, taken jointly. constitute an electrical circuitdiagram for the machine.

Fig. 1l is a time chart illustrating the passage Y of a card through themachine.

i acters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout.

THE RECORD CARD In order that the operation of the present sortingmachine may be fully understood, there is shown in Fig. 3 a typicalunpunched record card on which there has been printed or otherwisemarked the various index point positions arranged in columns whereperforatlons.' according to a selected code, may be applied.l In Figs. 4

and 5 the selected code is illustrated, the former showing numericaldesignations and the latter showing alphabetical designations. Asindicated by the legending in these gures, each card is designed toaccommodate seventy columns, although it will be understood, of course,that a greater or lesser number of columns may be amplayed, if desired.As shown in Fig. 3, there 'are three sorting iields on each'card which.'for convenience of description, have been labeled #I deck, #l deck and#l deck.' The machine is so designed that it may be set for selectivesensing oi' a group of cards in any one of the three sorting decks andthus, if desired, each deck in a certainsl'Oup of cards may be employedfor conveyinginfomation of 'a diilerant character. Each column in aparticular sorting field 4ordeck includes s insight-line ,serisoi sevenindex P9111# assura 7 f Y positions. .Thess position have been labeledIl. II. l. Ibpl, I and 2a (see FlgA) to agree with a selected binarycode system, the nature of which will become clear presently. In thiscode system ai conditioned in a manner subseouently'to be de- `scribed.sothat it a group of cards are run through the machine each numericallypunched card will be sorted into the pockets, as diagramthe positionsIl, I I and l are none positions, while 5 matically illustrated below:the positions lofi, I and 2a are numeric posiom predicated upon n dmhmmwd, Pm....-.- -n s. 1 s u i s z 1 o n n m m CODE cards.-..`- s s 1 ss 4 :s z 1 Io Bunn The specic code employed 1Q! Dumm d- 10 This is astandard method of sorting and the ignations is as follows: j manner inwhich such sorting is accomplished is fully described in the abovementioned patents Numeral Pmhd tonni n o 15 BORTING OPERATIONS(ALPHABETICAL) 1 Where alphabetical sorting is concerned. a sig- 1g,lmalifal'dispilliclnedliritheHandIliiidexlnlihi;A i u positions oi eachoi the three sorting regions or 2 5,1decksandivsplacedontopofastackotcardsto 1 g2g l zo be fed to themachine. 'Ihe cards are then passed 2 j u through the machine and theywill be sorted into the various pockets as indicated below:

Pm'es1ss4z2i o ln n Cardsmx U BOLIlCNum. &'dgronp Bignalcerd Blanks Thespeciiic code employed for alphabetical designations is as follows:

Letter Punched l2, l B l2, 2b o l2, 2b, 1 D l2, 2b, 2d E l2, 5 1r i2, 5,l n l2, 5, 2b H l2, 5, 2b, 1 1' l2, 5, 2b, 2a J ll, 1 1( l1, 2b L l1,2b, 1 M gb. 242

Ig 11, 5, 1 P l1, 5, 2b 0 11, 5, 2b, l 11, 5, 2b, 2d B u 0, 2b T 0, 2b,1 U 0, 2b, 2a V 0, 6 w c, s, 1 y 0, o, 2b Y 0, 5, 2b, l z 0, 5, 2b, 2o

THE SIGNAL CARD SOR'I'ING OPERATIONS (NUIWERICAL) ing this first run ofthe cards any numerical cards in the stack will be conducted into the Ipocket. Any blank cards or cards which are not punched in the localizedregion'thereoi undergoing senspossessing character designations notindicated in the chart above will be conducted in part to the l Docketand in part to the I I pocket, a partial sort being made during theilrst run wherein these cards are divided into a second group forimmediate return to the machine, and into a third group for a subsequentreturn to the machine.

During this initial run of the cards, the signal card carried at the endof the run, when sensed by the sensing brush, serves to electricallycondition the machine for the run next to follow, In so conditioning themachine. the function of fcertain decoding relays are altered, so thatduring the next run cards bearing dierent alphabetical designations fromthose previouslyl run will `be distributed in a predetermined manner totheir respectivesorting Dockets. y Thenext step in the sorting operationis to rexnove the numerically punchedv cards from the I pocket and setthem aside. Thereafter, the second'group of cards contained in the IIpocket with the signal card on top thereof is placed in the cardfeedlstack and, after passing through the machine, the pockets of themachine will' concally illustrated, it will be seen that the machine is'equipped with twelve such pockets. as distinguished from the usualthirteen pockets asso- Referring new to Fig. 'z wim-em the various,tamcardsasdesisnated below:

I Pcckst-.- o s 1 s 5 4 s 2 f1 l o '11 R Cus-1;; i x s .1; e I s enaiss-- 1.... Y' sorting poelrets or receptacles. are It is to be notedthat during this second run card at the end of the run falls in the lpocket on' top of the third group of cards next to be passed through themachine. As this signal card is sensed during this run, certain decodingrelays are conditioned to prepare the machine for the next run. l

The ilnal step in sorting the cards is to reoperationistobeeiiectemthemachinemaybe 75movetbethirdgroupofcardsfromthe-Iipocket i nom the above chart, it wm beseen um durwill be rejected or, in other words, conducted totheltpockct.Theremainingunsortedcards asaaan Operation is completed, the pocketswill contain 'feed hopperlor magazine adapted to receive the cards Clwhich are. of the character briefly described above. fThe cards areretained in their cardsasindicated below: i proper stacked ypositionby`means -o f ,.vertical Poekti f o a 1 5 i a z 1 A0,. 11 `a v`Curd`s(signa/lend) w vr1 Q NK n `is .n 151mmY fr v s P M J o n A x U a o; L IC n 'is to 'benoten that after ,this mais com-V pleted,vthe` signal cardis disposed in the 9 pocket on top of the stack oi' cards containedtherein.

In passing through the sensing station during this run the signal cardis designed to condition the machinefor a complete new run of vcards inthe same column. If these cards are to be sensed in the next adjacentcolumn or, in fact, in

any column other than the column in which sensing operations voriginally`took place, means are provided for shifting the sensing brushv to thedesired column in `a manner that will` appear presently. s

The cards are finally removed from the pockets manner, continuousmachine operation is made possible with automatic switching over to thesecond group sort when the signal card passes the sensing station. Whenthe last card in the second group 4of cards has. been disposed in the IIpocket, the signal card will fall on top of it..

These cards are then placed in the feed hopper and the cards from theIl' pocket are placed on top of them, When the signal card is againencountered atthe sensing station, the machine will sort the third groupof cards into the proper pockets and the signal card will be conductedto the l pocket. The signal card may then be placed maticallyfset themachine up for a subsequent sorting operation or it may be left in theil pocket until all of the pockets have been emptied. y The machine isdesigned for push button conperformed by the signal card may be manuallyvresorted to. This push button control may also be employed to returnthe machine to its proper jam. Any existing machine set-up is adapted tobey indicated by signal lights, in full view of the operator,I whichwill be described subsequently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MACHINE Y iHaving described thevpurpose of thepresent sorting machine and the manner in which the lnovel type ofperforated cards are ultimately sorted so as to become arrangedalphabetically, a brief Vdescription of the machine itself and its modeof operation will now be given. For a more complete description of amachine of this genfer'al type, reference may be had to either of theabove mentioned Ford patents or, in addition, to

the U. S. pat'ent to Cyril Horsfield,lNo. 1,933,328, dated October 31,1933, for a sorting machine.

The numeral III in Fig. 1 designates generally a blade I5.

` sequentially and when properly stacked they will guides I2 kattachedtothe main frame Il of the machine. The cards are advanced oneat a timevinto a position wheretheyl may be picked up or gripped by the feedrolls Il by means of a picker The picker blade lI5 is carried by amember I6 adapted to be reciprocated'byan arm |11 mounted for `rocking.movement on a shaft I8 and kconnected by means of alink I9 to a-crankpin 2U carried' by a crank (not shownin the drawings) mounted ona shaft2J. From the above description, it will Vbe clear thateach-revolution ofthe shaft 2I will cause the arm I." to be rocked about the axis of theshaft I8 to thereby move the member IB so as to successively advance thecards C toward the feed rolls Il, which .thereafter grip the cardsandfeed them past the sensing station. The feed rolls vI4 .bring each cardfed bythe member I6 intoa position to be traversed or sensed by a ybrush22 carried in a brush holder 2l. The brush holder 2l -is carried by andinsulated from a carrier 2,which is adapted to beadjusted by means of ascrew 28 extending transversely ofJ the machine and capable of beingturned manually by means ofa handle (not shown) so as to bring the brush22 into I, a position to sweepf'over" or. sense any selected column ofthe seventy cardcolumns associated witheach individual'card. The brush22 is electrically connected to an insulated contact rail 30 extendingbeneath and parallel to a yshaft 32 projecting transversely of themachine. A suitable spring-actuated contact shoe 34 provides means formaintaining a circuit to'` theb'rush, regardless of the column on thecard with which the brush has been brought into cooperative re- I on topof the last card in the feed stack to autolation. The sensing brush 22is designed'for cooperation in the usual manner with a lcontact roll 23which is positioned therebelow and over which the cards are adapted topass. The contact roll 23 is adapted to be driven in unison with rollers36 in the conventional manner. The

- brush holder 24 and the means for adjusting it `trol whereby theautomatic operations ordinarilyl ,sort set-up `if itis disturbedbyvirtue of a `card to a desired column form no part of the presentinvention and have merely been rbriefly mentioned herein. For a fullunderstanding of the nature and operation of the brush and its holder,reference may be. had tothe above mentioned Horsfleld patent.

Before each card leaves the control of the' feed rolls Il, it isgrippedby the rollers `36, while still other rollers 3B, which are driven inunison with the feed rollslland 36, serve .to advance the cards throughthe machine to the left,\as viewed in Fig. l. The shafts which-supportall of the various rollers are driven in'unison with the shaft 2l by,means of a common shaft (not shown),

which is in turn driven by anelectric niotor,

, shown at M in Fig. 8 but which does not'appear in Fig.1, in a wellknown manner.l

l nach card. as it 1s sensed by` theehuis/h z2 moves over a pair ofplates 40 mounted in spaced relationship upon the main-frame I3 ofthema` chine and the left edge of the card passes underneath the ends of aseries of guide or chute assisi-4 in the column undergoing sensing. Oneof the pockets is commonly known as the reject pocket (see also Fig. 7)and is accordingly labeled R. the function of this pocket havingpreviously been outlinedp The ends of the bladesare substantiallynarrowed or reduced in width at their right-hand ends and are bentupwardly as at 48 to permit the cards to slide under the ends of theblades. Each end rests upon a narrow plate which constitutes part of aspring-pressed armature 48 which is pivoted on a knife edge formed onthe upper edge of a plate 50 mounted upon the machine frame. A spring 62normally holds the armature away from the poles of a sort magnet 63 sothat the upturned ends 46 of the blades 42 are presented to the edge ofthe card as it i's advanced by the rolls I4 toward the left and awayfrom the brush22.

It should be understood that the left or leading edge .of the card willpass beneath the upturned ends 46 of each of the blades 42 as the cardis advanced through the machine by the feed rollers, and afterthe brush22 has traversed or sensed a series of code perforations in the columnundergoing sensing and certain decoding operations, the nature of whichwill be made clear presently, have taken place, the magnet 68 will beenergized and the armature 48 will be attracted, thereby lowering all ofthe ends 46 which do not overlie the card. As a result, the

card Vanalyzed will enter one of the spaces existing between the ends ofadjacent blades 42 and will thereafter be carried to the appropriatereceiving pocket by the various driving rollers 38 according `to thepositions and coding of the index points sensed by the brush 22.

Much of the foregoing may be clearly understood by reference to thethree previously mentioned patents which give a more detaileddescription of the construction and operation of the mechanism fordiverting cards to the proper receiving station or pocket.

Suitable card guides 54 and transverse supporting members 56 thereforare provided for retaining the transverse edges of the cards in positionduring feeding thereof through the machine so that they may pass to thechute blades in a` substantially fiat condition.

Referring now to Fig. 2, in addition to Fig. 1, the right-hand end ofthe shaft 2|. as viewed in Fig. 2, has affixed thereto a gear 58 whichis rotated by a worm gear 6D mounted on a shaft 62 driven by the shaftof the sorter motor M (Fig. 8) in any suitable manner. The worm gear 6|)serves to drive a gear 64 carried at the upper end of a vertical shaft66. The shaft 66 projects into a commute-tor casing 6'8 and is journaledas at 1li in one end thereof. Th'e shaft 66 serves to carry a series ofcommutators and distributors,

, the nature and function of 'which will become clear when theelectrical features of the invention are discussed. For the present, itis deemed sufficient to say that various instrumentalities containedwithin the casing 68 include a tube distributor TD. a series of eightcommutators labeled CI. C2. C3. C4, C5. C6. C1 and C8. a selectorcommutator Cse and a sort commutator Cso. `In the description ofelectrical features to follow, the mechanical construction, as well asthe electrical function of these various distributors and commutators,will become apparent and, therefore.

it is thought that a detailed description thereof at thistime isrendered unnecessary.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE OPERATION Motor circuit, stop and startcircuits Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 10 and 10a wherein the electricaldiagram for the machine is shown.

a souncefof current supply is shown at S and is adapted to supplycurrent to the sorter motor M. Power from the source is made availablefor machine operations by means of a master switch MS. After the masterswitch MS has been closed. upon depression of a start key IIIII a pairof `contacts cI become momentarily closed, thus energizing a cardcontrol relay magnet RX and a pair of motor control relay magnets RMIand RM2', the latter magnets operating to close respective pmrs ofcontacts c2 and e8 to energize the motor M. the circuit for the motorexisting from the negative side of the source S through wire a, contactsc3, motor M. contacts c2, and wire b to the source. When the iirst cardis fed from the feed hopper I0, it closes the usual card lever contactsCL2 and thus a holding circuit is created for the two magnets RMI andRM! and the card control relay magnet RX. This circuit exists from thenegative side of the source S through wires c, d, magnets RM2, RMI andRX. normally closed contacts c4 under the control of the stop key |02. apair of pocket stop contacts c6. card lever contacts CL2. and wires e, fand g to the positive side of the line. The pair of card lever contactsCL2 do not become open during the passage of successive cards. throughthe machine and thus the motor circuit just described will be maintaineduntil at least one of the pockets 44 becomes filled to open itsrespective pair of pocket stop contacts c5 or until the stop key |02 isdepressed to open the contacts c4, or until the stack of cards has been'completely sorted so that the machine will stop under the control ofthe signal card.

Electronic tube circuits As previously indicated. the machinehas'associated therewith a plurality of electronic tube controlled relaycircuits. The various electronic Vtubes and other electricalinstrumentalities may conveniently be enclosed within a casing (notshown) suitably disposed within the framework v I3 vin the lowerregionsof the machine. In Fig.'

8 there is shown a series of seven electronic tubes labeled TIZ, TI I.TO, T2b, T5, TI and T2a. These tubes are of the cold cathode Thyratrontype.

A second series of tubes labeled T'I2, T' I I, TII,

T'2b. T'5, T'I and T2`a serve as amplifiers and have disposed in theirplate circuits respective pick-up relay magnets MI2. MII, Ml), M2b, M5,

MI and Ma. The tubes of this latter group are preferably beam poweramplier tubes. Parallel circuits exist to all of the tubes, exceptinsofar as their filament connections are concerned.

When the master switch MS is closed, a circuit will be completed fromthe negative side o-f the source S through wires c, h, i, variableresistor rI, wires y'. k, resistor r2, wires l, m, n, o, p, q, r and gto the positive side of the source. A circuit is also completed from thenegative side of the source through wires c, h, i. `variable resistor1'8, the filaments of tubes T'2a, T'I, T"6, wires s, t, n, o, p. q, rand g to the positive side of the source. a

, The current supplied by the source S is preferably direct current ata. potential of volts.

i through a decoding device Ilil (see Fig. l0) to select for actuation asingle'chute-blade.

The various relays RI2, RII, etc., are maintained energized until suchtime as the commutatore CI and CIV become inoperative at 325 degrees inthe machine cycle. At this time, ali tubes will drop out of the circuit,but certain holding relays will be maintained up through 230 degrees ofthe next machine cycle. The nature of these holding relays will bediscussed subsequently.

For convenience and conformity of description, the various pick-upmagnets have been identified on the drawings by legending wherein theletter P is associated with each magnet in addition to the regularidentifying character. Similarly, the various holding magnets have beenidentified by the application thereto of the letter H apart from theregular designation of these magnets.

The various vacuum tube circuits previously described are more orllessconventional in their design and no claim is made herein to any noveltyin connection with these circuits per se, The specic'use, however, towhich these circuits are put in connection with the present sortingapparatus forms a part of this invention,

i6 mutator C8 destroys the circuit at 230 in the machine cycle. Theabove distribution of pickup and hold circuits has been made speccallyin connection with energization of the tubes TI2 and T' I2 upon sensingof a perforation in the il code position-of the card. It will beunderstood, of course, in connection with the remaining code positionsthat similar circuits will. exist. Thus upon energlzation oi' any of therema magnets in the plate circuits of the amplifying tubes variousholding circuits, similar to those just described,-` are established andare maintained until 230 in the machine cycle. The card relay magnetsJust referred to, and which appear in Figs. 10 and 10a, are in the lform of contact closing magnets associated with inasmuch as extremestability, positiveness and speed of operation is thereby attained. TheThyratron type tubes are designed to initiate their circuit functions inapproximately .002 second and this is made possible by the use ofsuitable condensers |08 in conjunction with the resistors f5.Theselatter resistors provide stability oi' operation Vby limiting theflow of current in the starting anode circuits. The resistors r4 serveto limit the iiow of current in the sensing brush circuit. The resistorsr6 limit theiiow of current through the Thyratron type tube. Theresistors r1 limit the flow of current in the control grid circuit ofthe amplifler tubes. The resistors rl limit the flow of current in theshield grid circuit'of these latter tubes.

As the following description ensues, the specic tubecircuits will not befollowed ln detail, it being understood that upon initiation of theaction of each Thyratron type tube its respective pick-up relay in theplate circuit of a corresponding amplifier tube will become enersized.

From the above description, it will be seen that the Thyratron typetubes are possessed of dual functions, which are. namely, to initiate animpulse upon sensing of a particular perforation in the card and toretain or store this impulse until all decoding operations have beencompleted or until the commutators CI and C5 drop out their respectivecircuits at 325 degrees in the machine cycle.

Card relay hold circuits The holding circuits previously mentioned maybe traced with reference to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 10a. Upon energization ofone of the pick-up magnets MI2, MII, Mil, etc., in the plate circuits ofthe amplifier tubes, as for example, the magnet MIZ at 280 in themachine cycle, its pair oi I contacts (Fig. 9) become closed, thuscompleting a circuit from the negative side of the line through wire d',hold winding of the magnet MI2, I contacts of the magnet MI2, commonwire i', comrnutato.` C6 (now operative), wire k', and (Fig. 8) wires m,n, o, p, q,'r. a. to the positive side of the line. The above .circuitis maintained energized until the coman electrical decoding system |05of the type commonly known in the art as the Baudot system. The purposeof the Baudot type decoding system shown in Figs. i0 and 10a is todecode the coded information sensed in a column of a card passingthrough'the sensing station, as evidenced by energization of one or moreof the card relay magnets, and convert this information into (wherenumerals are concerned) the decimal system by energization of one, andonly one, of a series of ten electrical circuits, each representative ofan individual numeral, or energizetlon of an additional circuit by meansof which cards not perforated with a numeral designation will be sent tothe reject pocket R. Where alphabetical designations are concerned,these eleven circuits are suiiicient inasmuch as three sorting runs areresorted to and inasmuch as the cards, during these runs, aredistributed into eleven of the sorting pockets. Unpunched cards will, ofcourse,be sent to the reject pocket R, inasmuch as none of the pick-upmagnets will be energized and the action of the decoder of Figs. 10 and10a will not be brought to bear.

SIGNAL CARD CONTROL RELAY CmCUITS Numerical sorting For the decoding ofa single numerical character, a numerical sort switch NS (Figs. 9 and10a), which is a double pole switch, is thrown to the on" position and acircuit will be completed from the negative side of the line throughwire d', pick-up magnet RN, wire u', numerical sort switch NS (onposition), wire 7", (see both Figs. 8 and 9 and wires f and g to thepositive side of the line. A parallel circuit exists for a signal lampln associated with a lamp housing |08 (Fig. l) suitably mounted o n themachine and bymeans of which the operator is informed that numericalsorting operations are in eiect. This circuit will become effective uponmovement of the numerical sort switch NS to its "on" position and willremain in effectas long as this switch stays in this position.l

The specific nature and operation of the decoder mechanism of Figs. l0and 10a will be described subsequently and at present it is deemedsuiiicient to state that this mechanism includes a series of labyrinthcircuits, all of which are arranged in series with the sort magnet 53and which lead to the sort commutator Cso. The sort commutator iscorrelated in its movements with the movementsof the cards through themachine and includesa rotary arm or brush Iiil designed to traverse aseries of contact points associated with the various output circuitwires of the dccoding device |05. These contacts are traversed in timedrelation with the movement of the card and when the rotary contact brushIII) estab- 17 lishes an electric circuit, immediate energization of thesort magnet 63 will occur and at the proper time so that thecorresponding chute blades 4Z willr be depressed to permit passage oi'the card to its assigned pocket.

Alphabetic sorting FIRST soa'r For sorting characters oi an alphabeticdesignation. the numerical sort switch NS (Fig. 9) is moved to its ofiposition, thus closing an electrical circuit leading from the negativeside of the line through wire d', pick-up magnet RI, normally closedcontacts 5BL, normally closed contacts IBL, wires s', e', numericalswitch NS (oiI position), wires i', g (Fig. 8) to the positive side ofthe line. Upon energlzation of the magnet RI. its pair of contacts IAUbecome closed to establish a holding circuit through wire d', holdingmagnet RI' (Fig. 9), its contacts IAU, normally closed contacts BAL,wires y', z'. numerical switch NS (oil' position), and wires 7", l. a.to the positive side oi' the line. A signal lamp Lal exists in parallelwith the holding magnet RI. Y

A pick-up magnet RZ is arranged in parallel with the holding magnet RI,the circuit for this magnet existing from the negative side of the linethrough wire d', magnet RZ, contacts IAU and JAL, wires y'. z', numericswitch NS (oi position) and wireS 7", f, y, to the positive side of thesource. A holding magnet RZ is adapted to become energized when thecommutator.Cl establishes its circuit. This circuit exists from thenegative side of the line through wire d', holding magnet RZ, itscontacts I, wires l', f', normally closed contacts BAU, commutator C1,wire y', numerical switch NS (oii" position), and wires 7". f, g, to thepositive side of the source. This last circuit becomes eiective at 302-in each machine cycle and is discontinued at 122 in each succeedingcycle. A signal card which, as shown in Fig. 6, is perforated Iin the IZand II zone positions will pass to the sensing station immediately afterpassage of the last card in the rst group of sorted cards. The sensingbrush ZZ will thus serve to close circuits which are operable toenergize the pick-up magnets MIZ and MII (top of Fig. 8) when thecommutator C5 estab-l lishes its circuit at 280. Energization of thepick-up magnets MIZ and MII will cause closure` lwires l', f', normallyclosed contacts SAU, com' mutator C1, wire g', numerical switch NS ("oiposition) and wires` j', f, g, to the positive side ci' the source.

`Upon energization of the pick-up magnet R3 (Fig. 9) its contacts SAUestablish a holding circuit `thereior, this circuit existing from thenega-f tive side of the line through wire d', holding mag-l net R3,contacts 3AU now closed, normally clo'sed contacts SAL, wires 1:', y',e', numeric switch NS (ofi position), and wires i', f, a. to the source.This latter described holding circuit also serves to energize pick-upmagnet R4, together with holding magnet R4, when the I contacts ofpickup magnet R4 become closed. The pair of contacts 3BL, upon becomingopen, serve to deenergize pick-up magnetRI. The pair of contacts lampLaZ.

SECOND SORT The cards which are distributed into the II pocket (Fig. '1)are removed from the machine and placed in the feed hopper I0 and thesecond sorting operation commences. At the completion oi' this sortingoperationthe signal card will again cuase the magnets MII and MIZ (Fig.8) in the plate circuits of the amplifier tubes TII and T'IZ to becomeenergized at 280 in the machine cycle when the commutator C5 becomeseffective. This serves to close the I4 points (Fig. 9) of these magnetsrespectively. When commutator CI becomes eiiective at 302 in the cycle acircuit will be established through wire d', pick-up magnet R5, I4points of magnets MIZ and MII respectively, normally closed Z contactsof magnet RZ, I' contacts of magnet R4, wires m', f', normally closedcontacts BAU, commutator C1, wire g', numerical sort switch NS and wiresi', f, y. to the source.

Closure oi' the contacts EAU establishes a holding circuit i'or themagnet R5. This circuit exists from the source through wire d', holdingmagnet R5. contacts EAU, normally closed contacts 'IBL, wires w', y',z', numerical sort switch NS (oi position), and wires y. to the source.Closure of the pair of contacts BAU serves to close a parallel circuitthrough the signal lamp La, and also serves to energize pick-up magnetR8 through a circuit leading from the source through wire d, magnet R6,contacts EAU, contacts lBL, wires w. z', y', z', numerical switch NS,and Wires f, g, to the source. Opening of the contacts BBL serves tocause deenergization of the pick-up magnet RI (Fig. 9). Opening of thecontacts SAL serves to deenergize the hold-v ing magnet R3 and alsopick-up magnet R4. When the commutator C1 opens -its circuit at 122 inthe machine cycle, holding magnet R4 and pick-up magnet R5 aredeenergized.

THIRD SQRT now fplaced in the feed hopper I0 with the signal i card'ontop and the third sorting operation is commenced.

At the completion of this 'sorting operation when the commutator C5closes its circuit at 230, the pick-up magnets MIZ and MII (Fig. 8) willagain become energized, thus closing ltheir I5 contacts respectively.When (Fig. 9) becomes eiective at 302 in the cycle, pick-up magnet R'I(Fig. 9) will become energized by virtue of a circuit existing from thesource through wire d', pick-up magnet R1, I5 contacts of magnets MIZand MII respectively, Z contacts of magnet R4, IZ contacts of magnet R6,wires m', f', normally closed contacts BAU, commutator C1. wire g',numerical sort switch NS and wires y", i, g. to the source. Closure ofthe contacts IAU under the iniluence of the magnet R1 sets up a holdingcircuit leading from the source through wire d', holding magnet R'I,contacts TAU, normally closed'contacts IBL, wires v', w', 1:'. y'. e',numerical sort switch Ns and wires 1".

l, U, t0 the source. Contacts IBL serve to enercommutator C1- I tionagain become eilective.

lthe holding magnet R1.

Push button control A pair of push button controlled contacts PB areprovided whereby the machine may be advanced from one sorting operationto the next without a signal card therethrough. Since this control is'resorted to only when the machine" is not in operation, the commutatorC1 may be in either its circuit closing or` circuit opening condition.Where the circuit is open,

l when the push button is depressed and the contacts PB are closed, acircuit is completed through the magnet R8. This circuit exists from thelsource through wire d'. magnet RI, contacts PB.

wires n', o', numerical sort switch NS, wires 1', f, g, to the source.Upon closure of the contacts IBL under -the inuence of the magnet RI. acircuit is established through the magnet R8. This latter magnet is slowto energize. When the push button contacts PB are opened, the magnet RIbecomes deenergized, thus opening the contacts IBL and deenergizing themagnet R9.

Ii' the various signal card relays are conditioned i'or the nrst sortingoperation, closure of the push button contacts PB would causeenergization of the magnet RI and consequent opening oi its contactsIAU. The magnet R2. however, will remain energized because its pick-upcircuit will still be enective. 'Upon closure of the contacts IAU andIAL the pick'up circuit for the magnet RI will become effective and aholding circuit for the magnet R2 will be maintained. This circuitexists from the source through wire d', pick-up magnet Rli'contacts SAL,normally closed contacts IAL, I contacts of magnet R2, wires l', j', o',contacts SAU, wire g'. numerical sort switch NS, and wires 1', l, atothe source. The contacts IAUv establish a holding circuit for thepick-upI magnet RI and also causemagnet RI toLv become energized, qContacts IBL and IAL become open to deenergize the various relay magnetsfor the first sorting operation. However, the circuit through holdingmagnet Rl is still maintained. When the push button` contacts PB areopen, the magnet RI will become deenergized allowing the contacts IBL toopen, thus deenergizing magnet RI.` Contacts IAU will again establish acircuit to the commutator C1.

Ii' the machine commences operation at this time, magnet R2 in thecircuit oi' the commutator C1 will be deenergized before `the first cardis sorted. However, if the push button contacts PB are again closed, thecontacts IAU will be-i magnet Rl open. Release of the push buttvn 20 land opening ot the contacts PB will leave the circuit through theholding magnet R4 energized.

l If the machine is started, this latter magnet will be deenergized whenthe commutator Cl discontinues its circuit before the card reaches thesorting station. If the contacts PB. are again closed, the pick-upmagnet RIA will .become energized and the various signal card controlrelays will be set up for the ilrst sorting operation.

Sortino magnet circuits NUMnnrcAL soar Where cards which have beenpunched with numerical designations are concerned, the various sortingmagnet circuits are similar to one another and are dependent upon thelocations of the code perforations in the cards. It is-deemedv sumcientfor purposes of illustration to select for distribution the ysortingcircuits which are em-v ployed in connection with the sorting of cardsthat have been perforated with the code designation for the numeral 0which, it will be rememberd, consists of a single perforation in thethird line of the seven line code, as may be seen in Fig. 4. Duringnumerical sorting operations, the numerical sort4 switch NS will assumeits left hand position, as viewed in Fig. 9, the upper left-` 'punchedin the third line of the seven line code,

thus representing the numeral 0, the card relay pick-up magnet M0 (Fig.8) will be energized when the commutator C5 Vestablishes its circuit at280 in the machine cycle. This operationis immediately followed byenergization of its associated holding magnet MII. At 151"` in the nextcycle a circuit will be completed through the sort magnet 53, at whichtime a card will be under the chute blade I2 (Fig. 1) leading to the 0pocket (Fig. 7). The circuit involved leads from the negative side ofthe source through wire d', sort magnet 5I, holding magnet 53', wire p',normally closed 3 contacts/of relay magnet M5 (Fig. 10). I contacts oi'relay magnet M21), normally closed B contacts of relay magnet MI,normally' open II contacts of relay magnet M0 (now net RN, the Icontacts of the sort commutator Cso,` wire q', 0 segment of the selectorcommutator Ose, numerical sort switch NS ("on position), and (Fig. 9)wires i. f, o. to the source. Establishment oi' this circuit will causeenergization ol' the sort magnet 53 and holdingthereof by the holdingmagnet 53. The holding circuit for the sorting magnet exists from thenegative side oi. the line through wire d,`sort magnet 53, holdingmagnet 53'. wire t', commutator C6, wires k' (Fig. 8), m, n, o, p, q, r.and g to the source. This lholding circuit for the sort magnet 53 ismaintained by the commutator C6 until the latter opens its circuit at230 in the machine cycle. Thus the proper chute blades are held in cardreceiving position until the card' has advanced thereinto. Cards whichare punched with code perforations representing the numerals 1 to 9 inelusive are all sorted in the same manner, but it is deemed unnecessaryto trace thevarious circuits therefor, inasmuch as these circuits aremerely variations of the settings of the several contacts associatedwith the decoder mechanism 21 yand which arel operated under thecontroloi the magnet 'RN together with the various card relay magnets.'F j v.Almiilinn'lisoar. Nuimmuunlms proper vtime''for-'distribution `of thecard into the l Ipocket by virtue of a circuit extending from the source*through wires g (Figi` 8).` f, i', numerical sortfs'witc'h NS"(offposition), wire q', I contacts ofthe sort commutator- Cso, normally open28 contacts of 'relay magnety R2, normally 'open II contacts of relaymagnet M8, normally closed 6 contacts of `'relay magnet MI, normallyclosed 4 contacts-of relay magnet M21), normally closed 3 contacts ofrelay magnetMS, wires u2, p','hold ing magnet 53' (Fig. 9) -sort magnet53, and wire d' tto the source. The holding circuit through the magnet53' functions in the -usual manner as has been previously described.

Reference to Fig;n 4 will sho'w that any card punched with numericaldesignations from l through 9vwill cause energization of at least one ofthe`=pickup relay magnets M5, M217 or MI of Fig. 8.v Therefore any suchcards will be conducted to the Ipocket by virtue of a circuit leading`from the source through wires g (Fig. 8), j.' i' (Fig. 9), numericalsort switch NS `(oif position), wire q' (Fig. 10a), I ycontacts of thesort commutator Cso, 30 contacts of the magnet R2 (now closed), thenthrough one or more of the group of three 2 contacts ofthe relay magnetsM5, M21) or MI, which are now closed, normally closed 2 contacts of themagnet MI), normally closed 3 contacts of the magnet MII, normallyclosed 3 contacts of the magnet MI2, wires u2, p', holding magnet 53'(Fig. 9) sort magnet 53, and wire d' to the source..

ALPHABETIC CARDS Reference to Fig. 7 will show that all cards perforatedwith alphabetical designations are. during the ilrstsort. sorted intopockets 2 to 9 inclusive, `Il and II.. `Cards perforated with thedesignations X, U, R, O, L, I, F.' and C are sorted into the 9, 8, 1, 8,5, l, 3 and 2 pockets respectively. Cards perforated with designationsY, V, S, P, M, J, G, D and A are sorted linto the II pocket. Cardsperforated with the designations Z, W, T, Q, N, K, H,'E and B aredistributed into the D pocket.. LFor example, if a card punched with thealphabetical designation X` is encountered, the pickup relays M3, M5Aand M211 (Fig. 8) are energized Aand a potential circuit is thenestablished which will energize the sort magnet 53 at the proper timefor l distribution thereof to the 9 pocket. The circuitinvolved extendsfrom the source through wires g (Fig. 8),\f, 1", numericalswitch"NS,(`o-ff position) wire q', 9 contacts of the sort commutatorCso, Il contacts" of relay magnet R2 (now closed), 5`cont'acts of therelay magnet M0 (now closed), normally closed 3 contacts of relaymagnet'MLnormally closed 2 contacts of relay'ma'gnet MM; 3 contacts ofrelay magnet 'M2b"'(nowlclosed),` 3 contacts of relay magnetMS (nowclosed), wires u2. p', holding magnet 53'y (Fig. 9)`,so'rt magnet53,-and wire d' 22 to the source. Similar circuits are in effect for allother alphabetically punched cards.

l Signal card operation The signal cardfollows the first group of cardsthrough the machineduring the first sorting operation.` This card servesto energize the card relaymagnets MII and MIZ, as previouslydescribed,thus energizing the card control relay magnet RI. As previously stated,when the commutator C1 establishes` a circuit at 302, the relay magnetR3 will become lenergized and the holding circuit for this magnet willalso cause energization of the relay magnet` R4. Energization' of thislatter magnet establishes a` circuitl from the source through wires g(Fig. 8), f', j', (Fig. 9), numerical sort switch NS (fo Dosition), wireq', II contacts of the sort commutator Cso,v I6 contacts ofy relaymagnet; R4 (now closed), I contacts of relay magnet RG, normally closedI contacts ofthe magnet-RN.. 2 contacts of the relay magnets MII and MI2, wires u2, p', holding magnet53, sort.magnet 53,.wire d' to thesource. As previously set forth, this circuit serves to set the machineup for the second sorting operationl and to distribute the -signal cardto the II pocket wherein it is applied to the second group of cards onthe top thereof.

The magnet R6 will remain energized during f operation, the signal cardwill again cause energization of the magnets MI I and MI2. thus causingmagnet R6 to become energized, while at the same time sending the signalcard intothe 0 pocket for positioning on top of the third. group ofcards therein. The circuit involved leads from the source through wiresg (Fig. 8), f, i,(Fig. 9) numerical sort switch NS (oii"A position),wire q'. ll contacts oi thesort commutator Cso, l contacts of the relaymagnets R6 and- RN, 2 contacts of the magnets MII and MIZ, wires u2, p',holding magnet 53 (Fig. 9), sort magnet 53 and wire ld', to the source.This circuit serves to leave the machine set up for the third sortingoperation.

During the third sorting'operation, the magnet RB will remain energizedandveircuits may be found to distribute the cards Z, W, T, Q. N,

K, H, E and B into pockets 3, 8, 1, 6, 5, 4. 3, 2

` magnet RN, 2 `contacts of themagnetsMII .and

MIZ, wires u2, p', holding magnety53,l (Fig. 9), sort magnet 53, andwire d tothe source. This circuit serves to leave the machine setup forthe iirst sorting operation with a new group of cards and, if sorting isto be conducted ina different card column', itis merely necessary-toshift. the card brush to the proper column in the usual manner.

`During alphabetical sorting operations. the se-r-y lective commutatorCse is lnot employed and profl 23 vision is made whereby it is shortedout of the circuit by the positioning of the numerical sort switch NS toits "oiT position.

After the third sorting operation. the cards v'rlll remain in thevarious pockets I to 9 in` elusive alphabetically sorted and each groupof cards will contain therein three sequentially ar-` ranged groups.with the exception of the Ipocket. which will contain only two groups ofcards. namely, the A cards and the B cards. The C,DandEcardswillfallintheZpocket; F,Gand H cards will fall in the Ipocket, etc., with the X, Y and Z cards falling into the I pocket. Ob-

viously. then. it is merely necessary to yremove the cards fromthepockets, taking the pockets from right to left, as shown in Fig. 7, and'to place them one upon the other so that ultimately all of the groupswill be sequentially arranged alphabetically with the signal cardrestving on the top of the stack. The signal card may then be removedfor return to the machine to control the operations thereof inconnection with a subsequent sorting operation of a new vgroup of cards.

Inthe foregoing description it has been deemed necessary to trace only afew typical circuits through the decoding mechanism and this hasinvolved the citation of only a few relay control contacts. A largenumber of additional contacts appear in the decoding mechanism and itwillbe understood that these contacts operate under the control of theirrespective magnets which have been shown alongside them in dotted lines.Thus for the decoding of any desired character the circuits involved-willbecome obvious.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features oi' the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the apparatusillustrated and in its operation may be Vmade by those skilled in vtheart without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention. therefore, to be limited only as indicatedby the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of sorting cards bearing alphabetical designations whichcomprises passing the cards through a sensing station and. under thecontrol of a sensing operation. specifically sorting and distributingcards bearing certain selected alphabetical designations which are se`Aquentially three times alphabetically removed the sensing station inthe order named and by a specific sensing operation sorting anddistributing the cards of the iirst group of returned cards vinto thepockets in such a manner that cards bearing designations once removedfrom the designations of previously distributed cards will fall upon thelatter, and under sensing control spe- .ciilcally sorting anddistributing the cards from the second group of returned cards ln such amanner that cards bearing designations twice i removed from the tlrstdistributed cards will fall upon the second distributed cards, wherebythe cards finally distributed to each pocket will be alphabeticallyarranged in groups of cards bearing at the most three alphabeticaldesignations.

2. The method of sorting cards bearing alphabetical designations whichcomprises passing the cards through a sensing station and under thecontrol ofa sensing operation; performing a ilrst sorting operation uponthe cards wherein cards bearing vcertain alphabetical designationswhichA are sequentially three times alphabetically removed from eachother to individual card-receiving locations while at the same timeunder sensing control partially sorting and distributing cards notbearing the selected designations to two separate additionalcard-receiving locations, such partial sorting and distributingoperations consisting in the placement of cards Ibearing vdesignationsonce removed from the designations of cards previously distributed,v atone of said additional locations and the placement of cards bearingdesignations twice removed from said previously distributed cards at theother location, performing a second sorting operation under sensingcontrol wherein cards previously placed at said rst specified locationare distributed and placed upon the previously sorted and distributedcards in auch a manner that cards bearing designations. once removedfrom the designations o'f said previously distributed cards will fallupon the latter and, finally, performing .a third sorting operationunder sensing control wherein the cards previously placed at said otherspecified location are distributed and placed upon the cards resultingfrom the second sorting operation.

3. The method of sorting cards bearing punched alphabetical andnumerical designations indiscriminately arranged in a stack whichcomprises passing the cards through a sensing station and, under thecontrol of a sensing operation, specifically sorting and distributingcards bearing certain alphabetical designations which are equallyalphabeticallyV removed from each other to individual card-receivingpockets while at the same time, by a partial sorting operation undersensing control, distributing cards not bearing the selectedalphabetical designations or numerical designations to a pair' ofadditional cardreceiving pockets, distributing cards bearing numericaldesignations to another additional pocket and distributing unpunchedcards to still another additional pocket, such partial sorting 'anddistributing operations consisting in the placement of cards bearingdesignations once removed from the designations of cards previouslydistributed into one of said pair of ad-` ditional pockets and theplacement of cards bear-` ing designations twice removed from saidpreviously distributed vcards intothe other pocket of sa'id pair,thereafter returning the two groups of cards from said pair ofadditional pockets to the sensing station in the order named and by asensing operation specifically sorting and distributing the cards fromthe first group of returned cards into the pockets in such a manner thatcards Abearing designations once removed from the designations ofpreviously distributed cards will fall upon the latter and specicallysorting and distributing the cards from the second group of returnedcards in such a manner 25 that cards from the first distributed cardswill fall upon the second distributed cards whereby the cardsiinallydistributed to each pocket will be alphabetically arranged in groups ofcards bearing at the most three alphabetical designations.

4. The method of sorting cards bearing punched alphabetical designationswhich comprises passing the cards through a sensing station into anadditional pocket and in the placement of cards bearing designations Z,W, T, Q, N, K,

H, E and B into another additional pocket,

thereafter returning the two groups of partially sorted cards from saidadditional pockets to the sensing station in the order named and by aspecidc sensing operation distributing the cards from the first group ofreturned cards into the pockets in such a manner that cards bearing thedesignations Y, V, S, P, M, J, G and D fall on top of the previouslydistributed cards bearing designations X, U, R, O, L, I, F andCrespectively, and that cards bearing the designation A fall into anadditional pocket, and specifically sorting and distributing the cardsfrom the second group of returned cards in such a manner that cardsbearing the designations Z, W, T, Q, N, K, H, E and B fall upon thesecond distributed cards bearing designations Y, V, S, P, M, J, G, D andA respectively. f

5. 'I'he method of sorting cards bearing punched alphabetical andnumerical designations which comprises passing the cards through asensing station and under the control of a sensing operationdistributing cards bearing the designations X, U, R, O, L, I, F and C toindividual card-receiving pockets arbitrarily designated at 9, 8, 1, 6,5, l, 3 and 2 respectively, While at the same time partially sorting anddistributing cards bearing all other alphabetical designations to anadditional pair of card-receiving pockets arbitrarily designated as andII, such partial sorting and distributing operations consisting in theplacement of cards bearings designations Y, V, S, P, M, J, G, D and Ainto the pocket designated as I I and in the placement of cards bearingdesignations Z,VW, T, Q, N, K, H, E and B into the pocket designated II,distributing cards bearing numerical designations into a pocketarbitrarily designated as I, and distributing unpunched cards into apocket arbitrarily designated as R, removing the cards from the pocketsI and R. thereafter returning the cards from the pockets 0' and II tothe sensing station in' the order named andby a specific sensingoperation distributing cards bearing designations Y, V, S, P, M, J, G,'Dand A into the pockets 9, 8, 1, 6,5, 4, 3, 2 and I respectively, andthereafter distributing cards Abearing designations Z, W, T, Q, N, K, H,E and B into the pockets 9, 8, 1, `B, 5, l, l, 2 and I respectively, andfinally placing the Vcards from each numerically designated pocket ontop of the cards from-each numerically designated pocket of nextsucceeding lower numerical order whereby the cards will bealphabetically arranged. y

6. In a sorting machine for sorting perforatedbearingdedgnationstwioersmoved' record cards bearing alphabeticaldesignations in the form of one or more code perforations arranged in asingle card column, a plurality of card-receiving pockets, acircuit-closing sensing 5 brush, means for feeding the cards past saidbrush in a columnar direction whereby the perforations therein aretraversed by the brush successively, means operable each time aperforation is traversed for closing a sensing circuit, l0 means formaintaining each circuit closed until all the perforations in a cardcolumn have been traversed, a control card perforated according to aselected designation and designed for passage through the machine, adecoding device including l5 a series of normally open labyrinthcircuits, means operable under the control of said sensing circuits forclosing one of said labyrinth circuitsv `for each position of a codeperforation in a card column, means operable in timed relation to the 2'passage of cards past said brush for energizing the closed circuit, carddistributing means operable upon energization of each labyrinth circuitfor selectively placing a card in a predetermined pocket, and meansAwhen said control card is 2l traversed for causing said sensing circuitsto close a different labyrinth circuit for each arrangement of cardperforations in a card column.

7. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for sorting perforatedrecord cards bearing designations in the form of one or more codeperforations arranged in a single card column, a plurality ofcard-distributing blades, a circuit-closing sensing brush, means forfeeding said cards past said brush in a columnar direction and intocooperation with the blades whereby the perforations are traversed bythe brush successively, means operable each time a perforation istraversed for closing a sensing circuit, means for maintaining eachsensing circuit closed until all i" of the perforations in a card columnhave been traversed, said blades having their receiving endsprogressively decreasing in length, means for actuating the blades, saidcards operating upon actuation of the blades to arrest the opening ofsuch blades as have already been traversed by an advancing card wherebythe card effects selection of a passage between the blades, a decodingdevice including a series of normally open labyrinth circuits, meansoperable under the control of' said sensing circuits for selectivelyclosing one of said labyrinth circuits for each position of a codeperforation in a card column, a control card perforated according to aselected designation and designed for cooperation with said sensingbrush, means operable upon sensing of said control card for selectivelyclosing a dierent labyrinth circuit for each arrangement of a codeperforation in the card column, and means operable in timed relation tothe passage of cards through the machine for energizing the closedlabyrinth circuit to actuate the blades.

8. YIn a cyclically operable sorting machine for sorting a group ofperforated record cards bearing alphabetic designations in the form ofone or o5 more code perforations arranged in a single card column, saidgroup also including a set-up control card bearing a special controldesignation, a circuit closing sensing brush, means for' feeding thecards past said brush in a columnar direction 7o and into cooperationwith said blades with the control card following said other cardswhereby the perforations in said cards are traversed by the brushsuccessively, means operable each time a perforation is traversed forclosing a sensing circuit, means for maintaining each circuit closed

